Footy training critical to keeping clubs together say coaches, league
The Northern Football League is leading calls for clubs to return to training despite the decision to cancel the season as clubs look for ways to keep players together and improve mental health without games.
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Northern Football League clubs are expected to keep training despite the competition’s decision to cancel the 2020 season.
Social functions could also be back on the agenda in the coming months to keep players and supporters involved without games to attend.
While clubs will still be limited by government restrictions, mental health and club culture are key components of the push to keep teams training and limit the number of players lost to the game.
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NFL chief executive Peter McDougall is backing the push for councils to open facilities and allow clubs to stick together through a challenging period.
“I’ve raised this with all our councils and we’d be really keen for councils to allow clubs access to their facilities for the remainder of the season,” McDougall said.
“They might decide to have a training run on a Thursday night, then use the rooms and have a meal and a catch-up or have a couple of small social activities, go down and watch an AFL game on the big screen and have a beer.
“As restrictions relax over the next couple of months, clubs can still provide a social outlet for their people and also provide an opportunity to raise some money to cover any costs and get themselves set up even better for next year.”
Clubs had been barred from training by the NFL in the lead up to its decision last week to call off the season.
However, the league had said clubs were free to resume sanctioned activities after the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Greensborough coach Mick Harford said plans were already in place to bring his players together regularly.
“That’s what will make football clubs so important, how we react as a community, not just a football club,” he said.
“We’ll look to do a training session once a week, just to keep everyone together. We’ll look at maybe a player function at the club on a Saturday.
“The boys are pretty tight so I’m sure they’re socialising in their own way but having everyone together is obviously a benefit for us.”
Thomastown coach Mario Bandera said he would look to bring some supporters in to keep them feeling a part of the club.
“All footy clubs are pretty much the same, they’re little communities within the community,” he said.
“My players miss being around their teammates but they also miss the interaction with supporters.
“For a lot of people, their outing on the weekend is to go to the footy. For so many people to watch their footy team is huge.”
Diamond Creek counterpart Andrew Tranquilli was excited to bring the club together but will seek clarification on protocols.
“Thursdays are the traditional selection night and we might have a bit of fun with that and pretend that we’re doing selection still.
“However, can we just get together for kick or do we still need to follow the AFL Victoria protocols? Any Tom, Dick and Harry can get together in a group of 20 can gather.
“Do we need to have sanitiser, to wipe footballs down and have a COVID-19 officer — that’s what we need answers on.”